a mosquito biting a persons arm in jacksonville florida

What Do Mosquitoes Look Like?

Mosquitoes are slender insects with a pair of scaled wings and long legs. Male mosquitoes do not bite humans and primarily feed on plant nectar. Female mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, too, but they also draw blood from humans and animals to reproduce. They lay their eggs in items that hold stagnant water, like birdbaths, bottle caps, buckets, and pools of water.

an illustration of a mosquito

Asian Tiger Mosquitoes

Also known as the forest mosquito, they have an exotic look with a single white stripe running from the center of their heads down their backs. This type of mosquito feeds mainly during daylight hours and is active year-round in warm climates.

an asian tiger mosquito

Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes

They have a marking on the upper surface of their thorax and white marks on their legs. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito can be found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including right here in Jacksonville, Florida.

an aedes aegypti mosquito in a home in jacksonville florida

 

Salt Marsh Mosquitoes

Mainly found along the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico, their abdomens have dark scales and pale bands along each segment, similar to a racing stripe. They also have dark legs with broad white bands. The female salt marsh mosquito is highly aggressive, looking for blood meals day and night.

a salt marsh mosquito biting a person in palm valley florida

When Are Mosquitoes Most Active?

Different species of mosquitoes are active at different times of the day. Some mosquitoes are more active during the day, and other species prefer to fly around in search of food at dusk, dawn, or after dark when it’s not as hot outside.

What Attracts Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are attracted to body heat and certain blood types. Female mosquitoes can smell their dinner up to 150 feet away before they even land on you and bite. Some studies indicate that female mosquitoes are attracted to blood type O, pregnant women, people who exercise (or at least are sweating and have an increased body temperature), and people who drink alcohol (also due to a raised body temperature).

Are Mosquitoes Dangerous?

People respond to mosquito bites with reactions ranging from mild irritation on the skin to extreme inflammation and swelling. More concerning is the potential for mosquito bites to transmit harmful diseases from West Nile virus, Chikungunya, yellow fever, dengue fever, Zika virus, and more. The World Health Organization claims more than 50% of the population is at risk for mosquito-borne diseases.

How Do I Get Rid Of Mosquitoes?

It is impossible to rid your Jacksonville property of all mosquitoes entirely, but you can significantly reduce the number of mosquitoes breeding and flying around with professional mosquito control. Professional mosquito control is an integrated effort that reduces the population of mosquitoes by treating mosquito breeding and resting areas. Visit Lindsey's mosquito control page for more information about our treatments, or contact us by phone or email.

Helpful Mosquito Articles

Why Mosquitoes Love Jacksonville

Jacksonville Resident's Need Mosquito Control Throughout The Year

How You May Be Attracting Jacksonville Mosquitoes Without Knowing

Year-Round Prevention Strategies For Jacksonville Mosquitoes

Seven Easy Ways To Reduce Mosquito Numbers Around Your Jacksonville Yard

Why Mosquitoes Are A Year-Round Problem In Jacksonville

How To Keep The Mosquitoes Away In Jacksonville

Everything Jacksonville Homeowners Should Know About Mosquitoes